Difference Between Paint Thinner & Lacquer Thinner

Paint thinner and lacquer thinner, while both solvents, have very different properties. Their different properties lend to different uses. Understanding the different characteristics of paint thinner and lacquer thinner can help you make the best choice for the specific job you are working on.

Formulation

Paint thinner is a single solvent made of white spirit and other additives. Lacquer thinner is a combination of solvents whose formulation changes from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Strength

Paint thinner is a very mild solvent. As such it can be used to clean up in some situations without risk of destroying the underlying paint coating. Lacquer thinner is a considerably stronger solvent.

Evaporation Rate

Paint thinner evaporates at a moderate rate. Lacquer thinner evaporates at a much faster rate, though there is not a standard evaporation rate for all lacquer thinners. The evaporation rate of lacquer thinner allows you to use it to thin and spread or smooth lacquer before it hardens completely.

Flammability

Lacquer thinner is more flammable than paint thinner.

Usage

Paint thinner helps you thin and clean up standard oil based paint. Lacquer thinner helps you thin and clean up lacquer. Lacquer thinner also removes ink on metal and removes adhesive residue.

Susan Roberts has more than 15 years of marketing, business and technical writing experience. Her business writing has appeared in online trade publications such as TechWeb and ComputerWorld. In 2009 she began publishing online articles in categories including healthy living, family and food and wine. Roberts has a Bachelor of Arts in technical writing/mass communication from Texas Tech University.